Agatha’s path of destruction leaves a sinkhole in its wake

Agatha; the first storm of the 2010 hurricane season, formed last week and washed over Central America; leaving a hundred and seventy-nine persons dead in its wake. Agatha caused heavy rainfall in Belize, but for neighbouring Guatemala the effects were devastating. Thousands of homes were washed away in the downpour and a massive sinkhole was formed, swallowing an entire intersection including a three storey building and a nearby house. So far, the reports are that both buildings were vacant. The crater, Guatemala’s second in four years, has a sixty-six foot diameter and is about one hundred feet deep. There is a high possibility that it will become even larger. On Tuesday Europe donated three point seven million US dollars to the relief efforts while the US has sent helicopters with medical supplies and tents to assist the remote towns.